Schools by area › Kent › The Orchard School
The Orchard School
All-through · Mixed · Ages 7–16 · Foundation special school
Cambridge Road, Canterbury CT1 3QQ · orchard-school.com · 01227 769220
Overview
- Ofsted
- Report card
- Feb 2026 · graded by area, with no overall grade
- GCSEs, 2024/25
- 6.6
- average Attainment 8 score. Kent 46.7, England 46
- Pupils
- 119
- Local authority
- Kent
- Free school meals
- 73.1%
- First language not English
- 1.7%
- School census 2025/26
The official school record (Department for Education)
Results
In 2024/25 the average Attainment 8 score at GCSE was 6.6, and 0% of pupils got grade 5 or above in English and maths. Across Kent it was 46.7, and across England 46.
In 2024/25, 0% of pupils reached the expected standard in reading, writing and maths at the end of key stage 2, and 0% the higher standard. Across Kent it was 62%, and across England 62%.
Key stage 2 results
Expected standard reading, writing and maths
| 2024/25 | Trend | School | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading, writing and maths | |||
| ▼0% | 62% | ||
| ▼0% | 8% | ||
| Average scaled score | |||
| n/a | 106 | ||
| n/a | 105 | ||
| n/a | 105 | ||
GCSE results
Attainment 8
| 2024/25 | Trend | School | England |
|---|---|---|---|
| ▼6.6 | 46.0 | ||
| ▼0.0% | 45.4% | ||
| ▼0.0% | 64.8% | ||
| ▼0.0% | 40.5% | ||
| ▼0.67 | 4.09 |
Where Year 11 leavers went
| Left in 2023/24 | Since 2021/22 | |
|---|---|---|
| Further education | 37.5 | −19.6 |
| Other education | 50 | +35.7 |
| Activity not captured | 12.5 | +5.4 |
Ofsted
Ofsted inspected The Orchard School on 3 February 2026 and published a report card: each area has its own grade, and there is no overall grade.
- Inclusion: Needs attention
- Curriculum and teaching: Needs attention
- Achievement: Needs attention
- Attendance and behaviour: Needs attention
- Personal development and well-being: Expected standard
- Leadership and governance: Needs attention
- Inspected
- 3 Feb 2026
- Report card
- Safeguarding
- Met
Graded areas
| Inclusion | Needs attention |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and teaching | Needs attention |
| Achievement | Needs attention |
| Attendance and behaviour | Needs attention |
| Personal development and well-being | Expected standard |
| Leadership and governance | Needs attention |
Previously: Remains Good, ungraded inspection, Oct 2021
Earlier inspections
September 2019 to November 2025
Oct 2021Ungraded inspectionRemains Good
Safeguarding Effective
Before September 2019
Jul 2016Good
Outcomes for pupils Good Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good Leadership and management Good Safeguarding Effective Oct 2013Requires improvement
Outcomes for pupils Requires improvement Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Requires improvement Leadership and management Requires improvement
What parents said
55% of the parents who answered Ofsted’s Parent View survey would recommend the school (11 replies, to 6 April 2026).
- Recommend
- 55%
- Positive
- 50%
- Replies
- 11
- 10% · 6 Apr 2026
based on the 100% who raised concerns
based on 4 parents (36%) whose child was bullied
based on 11 parents (100%) with SEND